Assistant director of the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), Michael Howlett, said the 268 crew members aboard the 14 vessels now faced Christmas at sea, away from their families.

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"It can be tempting to have a splash in the sea at Christmas, but it's absolutely not worth putting yourself at risk, " said seafront manager Viki Miller.

BBC: Brighton's Christmas Day swim beach closed

That said, for five years now I have kicked off the New Year by taking a plunge in the icy waters of New York's Coney Island, a tradition I was introduced to while living in Dublin, where I joined hundreds of locals who make an annual Christmas leap from a rock at Sandycove and baptize themselves in the freezing Irish Sea.

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Brighton beach is to be closed at the site of the city's traditional Christmas Day swim following forecasts of hazardous sea conditions.

BBC: Brighton's Christmas Day swim beach closed